TORQUE SENSOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a torque sensor, especially to a torque sensor that detects torque applied to a cylinder.

[0002] When a conventional torque converter or torque sensor operates, one side of the torque sensor has to stay stationary while the other is applied with the torque. Therefore the conventional torque converter or torque sensor is unable to detect stresses, such as torque, pressure or the like, that acting between two moving objects.

[0003] However, in many situations, determining the torque acting between two moving objects is required, especially two objects that rotate simultaneously For example, on a human-powered bicycle, force exerted to pedals will transfer all the way along adjacent contacted objects, which are all moving simultaneously, and eventually reach a rear wheel. In this case, a conventional torque converter or sensor is nowhere to be installed and thus is unable to be used on a bicycle to detect and measure the force exerted by a rider.

[0004] Doing exercise on fashion bike or on cycling equipment is quite common to daily life, a big pity is that the strength or power of the user can not be easily determined and shown off, nor has further calculations of the amount of exercise been achieved.

[0005] A conventional CRITICAL TORQUE DETECTOR, as disclosed in US Patent No. 4,193,720, discloses a stationary casing, a sleeve, a spindle, a reaction rod, and a coil spring. The sleeve is rotatably mounted through the stationary casing and is connected to the stationary casing via two bearings. A plug member is mounted on and engages with a rear end of the sleeve. The spindle and the reaction rod are coaxially mounted rotatably through the sleeve and the plug member. The spindle is connected to the sleeve via two bearings. The spindle and the reaction rod are detachably connected to each other. A socket member is screwed on the spindle. The coil spring is mounted around the spindle and has two ends respectively connected to the plug member and the socket member. When a driving force is transmitted from the pulley through the sleeve, the plug member, and the coil spring to the spindle, the spindle and the reaction rod rotate simultaneously. If a torque exceeding the preset torque is applied on the spindle, the spindle urges the reaction rod to move the reaction rod axially and rearwardly.

[0006] A conventional TORQUE DETECTING APPARATUS, as disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 086 569, discloses a case, a sleeve portion, a driven shaft, and a transmission spring. The sleeve portion is rotatably mounted in one of two ends of the case, and is connected to the case via at least two bearings. The driven shaft is rotatably mounted in the other one of the two ends of the case. An inner end of the driven shaft protrudes into the sleeve portion. An outer end is connected to the case via a bearing. The transmission spring is mounted around the inner end of the driven shaft and has two ends respectively connected to the sleeve portion and the driven shaft. A wheel disk having multiple signal portions and a shutter disk with a shutter portion are respectively attached to the sleeve portion and the driven shaft and face each other. A resetting photocoupler and an angular displacement detecting photocoupler are mounted on the wheel disk and the shutter disk and detect angular displacement between the wheel disk and the shutter disk.

[0007] A conventional DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE BRAKING COUPLE IN ROTATION, as disclosed in FR Patent No. 2573867, discloses a carter, an input shaft, an output shaft, and an elastic lamina. The input shaft and the output shaft are coaxially mounted through the carter. The elastic lamina connects the input shaft and the output shaft. A first marker member and a second marker member are respectively attached to the inner end of the input shaft and the output shaft and face each other. Each of the marker members has multiple transparent portions and multiple shaded portions alternately arranged around the marker member. A means detects the difference in angular position of the first and second marker members.

[0008] A conventional TORQUE CELL, as disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2007/0000336, discloses a torque detector for detecting torque applied to a rotary shaft. The torque detector has an input shaft, an output shaft, and a spring element connected to the input shaft and the output shaft. As torque is applied to the input shaft, the input shaft is rotationally offset from the output shaft. A sensing system senses the amount of rotational offset between the input shaft and the output shaft, such that a rotational torque applied to the input shaft can be calculated.

[0009] A conventional METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING TORQUES, as disclosed in DE Patent No. 2100487, discloses a sleeve, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and a coil spring. The driving shaft and the driven shaft are coaxially mounted respectively through two opposite ends of the sleeve. The driving shaft is connected to the sleeve via a ball bearing. The driven shaft is securely connected to the sleeve. The coil spring is disposed between the driving shaft and the driven shaft and has two ends respectively connected to the driving shaft and the driven shaft. When a torque is applied to the driving shaft, the driven shaft is driven to rotate via the coil spring and is rotationally offset from the driving shaft. By detecting angular displacement between the driving shaft and the driven shaft, the torque applied to the driving shaft can be calculated.

[0010] However, in the above-mentioned conventional devices for detecting torque applied to an input member and an output member, no rotation limitation is between the input member and the output member. Thus, the input member and the output member may over-rotate relative to each other, causing damage to a spring member connecting the input member and the output member.

[0011] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a torque sensor according to claim 1. The torque sensor has an outer envelope tube, an inner middle cylinder mounted coaxially inside the envelope tube, an inner cylinder mounted coaxially inside and through the middle cylinder, a resilient element mounted in-between and connected to the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder, a first disc and a second disc respectively attached to the inner cylinder and the middle cylinder, and a signal detection unit used for detecting the shift angle difference between the second disc and the first disc so a torque applied to the inner cylinder is measured.

[0012] Any force exerted to the inner cylinder or the middle cylinder will be transmitted all the way to contacted adjacent objects. Take the case of exerting the force to the inner cylinder as an example. When the force is transmitted to the resilient element, the shape (spatial) change is arisen which allows the inner cylinder to rotate forward with an angle shift. The attached first disc is then also carried forward with the same shift angle. The stronger the force applied, the wider the angle shifted. Force will be transferred to the next contacted object adjacent to the resilient element, which is the middle cylinder. If the middle cylinder is extended with a sort of transmission mechanism such as the chainwheel on a bike, the force will eventually be transferred to a rear wheel. When a sufficient strength is built up, the bike will then move forward. The force along the pedal to the rear wheel is measured on the middle path by measuring the resilient element's spatial shape change. This method complies with the basic spirit of Hooke's law, but the spatial change is detected differently in a contactless way through the optical sensor.

[0013] The torque sensor has advantages such as a simple structure, fast response, high and accurate sensitivity and without power loss. The torque sensor can be applied to all kinds of mechanisms that rotate when a force is applied thereon, and then the amounts of strength and works of the exerciser can be calculated and quantified according to the measured torque.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a torque sensor in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the torque sensor in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the torque sensor in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view in partial section of the torque sensor in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view in partial section of the torque sensor in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first disc and a second disc of the torque sensor in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the first disc and the second disc in Fig. 6, shown overlapped;

Fig. 8 is an operational front view of the first disc and the second disc in Fig. 6, shown relatively rotated;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the torque sensor in Fig. 1, showing the first disc is a reference disc and the second disc is a mask disc;

Fig. 10 is an end view in partial section of another embodiment of a torque sensor in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 11 is an operational side view of the torque sensor in Fig. 1, showing mounted on a power-assisted bicycle;

Fig. 12 is another operational side view of the torque sensor in Fig. 1, showed mounted on an exercise bicycle;

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a first disc and a second disc of another embodiment of a torque sensor in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the torque sensor in Fig.1, showing the second disc is a reference disc and the first disc is a mask disc.

[0014] With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 10, a torque sensor 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises an envelope tube 11, a middle cylinder 12, 12A, an inner cylinder 13, 13A, at least one outer bearing 14, at least one inner bearing 15, a resilient element 16, 16A, a first disc, a second disc and a detection unit 19.

[0015] With further reference to Fig. 5, the middle cylinder 12, 12A is axially mounted through the envelope tube 11, is coaxial with the envelope tube 11 and has a first end 121, a second end 122, a mounting slot 123, a first stop 124, 124A and a second stop 125, 125A. The mounting slot 123 of the middle cylinder 12 is formed in the second end 122 of the middle cylinder 12. The first stop 124, 124A of the middle cylinder 12, 12A is formed on an inner surface of the middle cylinder 12, 12A. The second stop 125, 125A of the middle cylinder 12, 12A is formed on the inner surface of the middle cylinder 12, 12A and is separated from the first stop 124, 124A of the middle cylinder 12, 12A.

[0016] The inner cylinder 13, 13A is axially mounted through the middle cylinder 12, 12A, is coaxial with the envelope tube 11 and has a first end 131, a second end 132, a mounting ring 133, a first stop 134, 134A, a second stop 135, 135A and a mounting slot 136. The first end 131 of the inner cylinder 13 corresponds to the first end 121 of the middle cylinder 12. The second end 132 of the inner cylinder 13 corresponds to the second end 122 of the middle cylinder 12. The mounting ring 133 is formed around an outer surface of the inner cylinder 13, is disposed adjacent to the first end 131 of the inner cylinder 13 and has a side surface facing the first end 121 of the middle cylinder 12.

[0017] With further reference to Fig. 4, the first stop 134, 134A of the inner cylinder 13, 13A is formed on the outer surface of the inner cylinder 13, 13A and is disposed between the first and second stops 124, 124A, 125, 125A of the middle cylinder 12, 12A. The second stop 135, 135A of the inner cylinder 13, 13A is formed on the outer surface of the inner cylinder 13, 13A, is separated from the first stop 134, 134A of the inner cylinder 13, 13A, is disposed between the first stop 134, 134A of the inner cylinder 13, 13A and the second stop 125, 125A of the middle cylinder 12, 12A.

[0018] The mounting slot 136 of the inner cylinder 13 is formed in the outer surface of the inner cylinder 13 and through the second end 132 of the inner cylinder 13.

[0019] The at least one outer bearing 14 is mounted around and between the envelope tube 11 and the middle cylinder 12, and is coaxial with the envelope tube 11. Each of the at least one outer bearing 14 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the outer bearing 14 is attached to an inner surface of the envelope tube 11. The inner surface of the outer bearing 14 is attached to an outer surface of the middle cylinder 12. Thus, the middle cylinder 12 and the envelope tube 11 are able to rotate relatively.

[0020] The at least one inner bearing 15 is mounted around and between the middle cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 13, and is coaxial with the inner cylinder 13. Each of the at least one inner bearing 15 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the inner bearing 15 is attached to the inner surface of the middle cylinder 12. The inner surface of the inner bearing 15 is attached to the outer surface of the inner cylinder 13. Thus, the inner cylinder 13 and the middle cylinder 12 are able to rotate relatively.

[0021] The resilient element 16, 16A is compressible, is disposed between the middle cylinder 12, 12A and the inner cylinder 13, 13A and has two ends respectively connected to the middle cylinder 12, 12A and the inner cylinder 13, 13A. Thus, the middle cylinder 12, 12A and the inner cylinder 13, 13A has a set relative position under a general condition. When the inner cylinder 13, 13A rotates, the inner cylinder 13, 13A pushes the resilient element 16, 16A and the middle cylinder 12, 12A sequentially so the resilient member (16, 16A) is compressed and the middle cylinder 12, 12A rotates accordingly.

[0022] With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the resilient element 16 may be a torsion spring, mounted around the inner cylinder 13 and have two ends respectively connected to the middle cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 13 and respectively mounted through the mounting slots 123, 136 of the middle cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 13. The first stop 134 of the inner cylinder 13 selectively abuts the first stop 124 of the middle cylinder 12 and the second stop 135 of the inner cylinder 13 selectively abuts the second stop 125 of the middle cylinder 12 when the inner cylinder 13 rotates relative to the middle cylinder 12.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 10, the resilient element 16A may be a compression spring, is mounted between the first stops 124A, 134A of the middle cylinder 12A and the inner cylinder 13A and have two ends respectively abutting the first stops 124A, 134A of the middle cylinder 12A and the inner cylinder 13A. The second stop 135A of the inner cylinder 13A selectively abuts the second stop 125A of the middle cylinder 12A when the inner cylinder 13A rotates relative to the middle cylinder 12A.

[0024] With further reference to Figs. 6 and 9, the first disc is annular, is mounted around the inner cylinder 13, is coaxial with the inner cylinder 13, is disposed between the mounting ring 133 of the inner cylinder 13 and the first end 121 of the middle cylinder 12 and is attached to the mounting ring 133 of the inner cylinder 13. The first disc may be a reference disc 17. The reference disc 17 has an outer peripheral edge and multiple through holes 171. The through holes 171 are separately formed through the reference disc 17 and are arranged along the outer peripheral edge of the reference disc 17.

[0025] The second disc is annular, is mounted around the inner cylinder 13, is coaxial with the inner cylinder 13, is disposed adjacent to the first disc and between the mounting ring 133 of the inner cylinder 13 and the first end 121 of the middle cylinder 12 and is attached to the first end 121 of the middle cylinder 12. The second disc may be a mask disc 18. The mask disc 18 has an outer peripheral edge and multiple detecting portions 181. The detecting portions 181 are separately formed on the mask disc 18 and are arranged along the outer peripheral edge of the mask disc 18. Each detecting portion 181 has multiple detecting grids 182 formed through the mask disc 18 and arranged along the outer peripheral edge of the mask disc 18.

[0026] Otherwise, with reference to Figs. 13 and 14, the second disc may be the reference disc 17 and the first disc may be the mask disc 18. Thus, shift angle difference between the first disc and the second disc reflects shift angle difference between the middle cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 13 and deformation of the resilient element 16, 16A.

[0027] The detection unit 19 is mounted on the envelope tube 11, detects the shift angle difference between the first disc and the second disc and has a signal emitter 191 and a signal receiver 192. The signal emitter 191 is disposed beside the reference disc 17 and sends signals to selectively pass through at least one of the through holes 171 of the reference disc 17. The signal receiver 192 is disposed beside the mask disc 18, aligns with the signal emitter 191 and selectively receives the signals sent from the signal emitter 191. When the reference disc 17 and the mask disc 18 rotate relative to each other, the signal receiver 192 may receive one signal at a time as small force is applied to the torque sensor 10 or the signal receiver 192 may receive multiple signals at a time as large force is applied to the torque sensor 10.

[0028] With further reference to Fig. 11, the torque sensor 10 as described may be mounted in a bottom bracket of a power-assisted bicycle 40. A chainwheel 45 is securely mounted around one of the ends 121, 122 of the middle cylinder 12. A chain 41 is mounted around and engages the chainwheel 45. Two cranks 46 are respectively connected securely to the first and second ends 131, 132 of the inner cylinder 13. Two pedals 47 are respectively connected rotatably to the cranks 47 to allow a rider to pedal the power-assisted bicycle 40.

[0029] When the rider works the pedals 47 to rotate the cranks 46 and the inner cylinder 13, the inner cylinder 13 further pushes the resilient element 16, 16A to rotate the middle cylinder 12 and the chainwheel 45. Consequently, the first disc rotates along with the inner cylinder 13 and the second disc rotates along with the middle cylinder 12.

[0030] Regarding to the torque sensor 10 shown in Fig. 4, when the force applied to the torque sensor 10 reaches a maximum detecting range of the torque sensor 10, the first stops 134, 124 of the inner cylinder 13 and the middle cylinder 12 abut each other. When no force is applied to the torque sensor 10, the resilient element 16 causes the second stops 135, 125 of the inner cylinder 13 and the middle cylinder 12 abut each other.

[0031] Regarding to the torque sensor 10 shown in Fig. 10, when no force is applied to the torque sensor 10, the resilient element 16A causes the second stops 135A, 125A of the inner cylinder 13A and the middle cylinder 12A abut each other. When the force applied to the torque sensor 10 reaches a maximum detecting range of the torque sensor 10, the resilient element 16A is fully compressed to its solid length and the first stop 134A of the inner cylinder 13A pushes the first stop (124A) of the middle cylinder (12A) via the resilient element (16A).

[0032] With further reference to Fig. 7, the detecting portions 181 of the mask disc 18 are respectively disposed between the through holes 171 of the reference disc 17. Thus, under the general condition, the signal receiver 192 of the detecting unit 19 does not receive the signal sent from the signal emitter 191.

[0033] With further reference to Fig. 8, when the power-assisted bicycle 40 is riding up on a slope or is about to speed up, the rider has to apply more power to pedal the pedals 47 of the power-assisted bicycle 40. The resilient element 16, 16A is twisted or compressed. Then, the mask disc 18 rotates relative to the reference disc 17. The detecting portions 181 of the mask disc 18 are respectively revealed in the through holes 171 of the reference disc 17. Thus, the signal receiver 192 of the detection unit 19 receives the signal sent from the signal emitter 191 through the detecting grids 182 of each detecting portion 181. Number of the detecting grids 182 of each detecting portion 181 that are revealed in a corresponding through hole 171 of the reference disc 17 can be counted by counting number of the signals received by the signal receiver 192. Accordingly, an angle by which the mask disc 18 rotates relative to the reference disc 17 and the force that is applied to the torque sensor 10 are also calculated.

[0034] Moreover, according to the angle by which the mask disc 18 rotates relative to the reference disc 17, the detection unit 19 sends a signal to a controller to allow the controller to activate and control an electric motor 42 mounted on the power-assisted bicycle 40. The electric motor 42 may drive a front wheel 43 or a rear wheel 44 of the power-assisted bicycle 40. Then, the electric motor 42 assists the rider to ride the power-assisted bicycle 40. Therefore, no matter whether the power-assisted bicycle 40 is riding up on a slope or is about to speed up, the rider applies a constant power to the power-assisted bicycle 40, is not tired and achieves a constant exercising effect.

[0035] Furthermore, the detecting portions 181 of the mask disc 18 may respectively correspond to the through holes 171 of the reference disc 17. Thus, the detection unit 19 may also detect the angle by which the mask disc 18 rotates relative to the reference disc 17.

[0036] With further reference to Fig. 12, the torque sensor 10 as described may be mounted in a non-powered bicycle or an exercise bicycle 50. Two cranks 51 of the exercise bicycle 50 are respectively connected securely to the first and second ends 131, 132 of the inner cylinder 13. Two pedals 52 of the exercise bicycle 50 are respectively connected rotatably to the cranks 51. When an exerciser pedals the pedals 52 of the exercise bicycle 50, the torque sensor 10 detects a torque applied to the exercise bicycle 50 and therefore an amount of exercise of the exerciser is calculated. Moreover, the amount of exercise or torque can be shown on a control panel of the exercise bicycle 50 or can transmitted to a smart phone to record or analyze the amount of exercise or physical capability of the exerciser.

[0037] In the above-mentioned applications, the inner cylinder 13 serves as a torque receiver and transmits the force to the middle cylinder 12 through the resilient element 16, 16A. However, otherwise, the middle cylinder 12 may also serve as the torque receiver and transmits force to the inner cylinder 13 through the resilient element 16, 16A.

[0038] The torque sensor 10 as described has a simple structure and fast, sensitive and accurate torque sensing ability. The torque sensor 10 can be used on all kinds of mechanisms that rotate when a force is applied thereon to detect torque acting on the mechanism so amounts of energy and work of the exerciser are calculated and quantified. Since the torque sensor 10 consumes little energy, the torque sensor 10 has precise measuring function.

Claims

1. A torque sensor (10) comprising: an envelope tube (11), a middle cylinder (12) axially mounted through the envelope tube (11), an inner cylinder (13) axially mounted through the middle cylinder (12), at least one outer bearing (14) mounted around and between the envelope tube (11) and the middle cylinder (12), at least one inner bearing (15) mounted around and between the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13), a resilient element (16, 16A) being compressible, disposed between the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13) and having two ends respectively connected to the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13), a first disc being annular, and mounted around and attached to the inner cylinder (13), a second disc being annular, mounted around the inner cylinder (13), disposed adjacent to the first disc and attached to the middle cylinder (12), and a detection unit (19) mounted on the envelope tube (11) and detecting shift angle difference between the first disc and the second disc, and the torque sensor (10) characterized in that:

the middle cylinder (12) has

a first stop (124, 124A) formed on an inner surface of the middle cylinder (12); and

a second stop (125, 125A) formed on the inner surface of the middle cylinder (12) and separated from the first stop (124, 124A) of the middle cylinder (12); and

the inner cylinder (13) has

a first stop (134, 134A) formed on an outer surface of the inner cylinder (13), and disposed between the first and second stops (124, 124A, 125, 125A) of the middle cylinder (12); and

a second stop (135, 135A) formed on the outer surface of the inner cylinder (13), separated from the first stop (134, 134A) of the inner cylinder (13), disposed between the first stop (134, 134A) of the inner cylinder (13) and the second stop (125, 125A) of the middle cylinder (12) and selectively abutting the second stop (125, 125A) of the middle cylinder (12);

wherein when the inner cylinder (13, 13A) rotates, the inner cylinder (13, 13A) pushes the resilient element (16, 16A) and the middle cylinder (12, 12A) sequentially so the resilient element (16, 16A) is compressed and the middle cylinder (12, 12A) rotates accordingly;

when no force is applied to the torque sensor (10), the resilient element (16) causes the second stops (135, 125) of the inner cylinder (13) and the middle cylinder (12) abut each other.

2. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first disc is a reference disc (17) having multiple through holes (171) separately formed through the reference disc (17) and arranged along an outer peripheral edge of the reference disc (17);
the second disc is a mask disc (18) having multiple detecting portions (181) separately formed on the mask disc (18) and arranged along an outer peripheral edge of the mask disc (18), each detecting portion (181) having multiple detecting grids (182) formed through the mask disc (18) and arranged along the outer peripheral edge of the mask disc (18); and
the detection unit (19) has

a signal emitter (191) sending signals to pass through the through holes (171) of the reference disc (17); and

a signal receiver (192) selectively receiving the signals sent from the signal emitter (191).

3. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the second disc is a reference disc (17) having multiple through holes (171) separately formed through the reference disc (17) and arranged along an outer peripheral edge of the reference disc (17);
the first disc is a mask disc (18) having multiple detecting portions (181) separately formed on the mask disc (18) and arranged along an outer peripheral edge of the mask disc (18), each detecting portion (181) having multiple detecting grids (182) formed through the mask disc (18) and arranged along the outer peripheral edge of the mask disc (18); and
the detection unit (19) has

a signal emitter (191) sending signals to pass through the through holes (171) of the reference disc (17); and

a signal receiver (192) selectively receiving the signals sent from the signal emitter (191).

4. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the resilient element (16) is a torsion spring, and is mounted around the inner cylinder (13);
the two ends of the resilient element (16) are respectively connected to the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13); and
the first stop (134) of the inner cylinder (13) selectively abuts the first stop (124) of the middle cylinder (12);
wherein when the force applied to the torque sensor (10) reaches a maximum detecting range of the torque sensor (10), the first stops (134, 124) of the inner cylinder (13) and the middle cylinder (12) abut each other.

5. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein
the resilient element (16A) is mounted between the first stops (124A, 134A) of the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13); and
the two ends of the resilient element (16A) are respectively abutting the first stops (124A, 134A) of the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13);
wherein when the force applied to the torque sensor (10) reaches a maximum detecting range of the torque sensor (10), the resilient element (16A) is compressed to its solid length and the first stop (134A) of the inner cylinder (13A) pushes the first stop (124A) of the middle cylinder (12A) via the resilient element (16A).

6. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the middle cylinder (12) further has a mounting slot (123) formed in one of two ends of the middle cylinder (12);
the inner cylinder (13) further has a mounting slot (136) formed in the outer surface of the inner cylinder (13) and through one of two ends of the inner cylinder (13); and
the ends of the resilient element (16) are respectively mounted through the mounting slots (123, 136) of the middle cylinder (12) and the inner cylinder (13).

7. The torque sensor (10) as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the inner cylinder (13) further has a mounting ring (133) formed around the outer surface of the inner cylinder (13) and having a side surface facing a corresponding end of the middle cylinder (12); and
the first disc and the second disc are disposed between the mounting ring (133) of the inner cylinder (13) and the end of the middle cylinder (12) that corresponds to the mounting ring (133), and the first disc is attached to the mounting ring (133) of the inner cylinder (13) and the second disc is attached to the end of the middle cylinder (12) that corresponds to the mounting ring (133).

Ansprüche

1. Drehmomentsensor (10), umfassend: ein Mantelrohr (11), einen mittleren Zylinder (12), der axial durch das Mantelrohr (11) angebracht ist, einen inneren Zylinder (13), der axial durch den mittleren Zylinder (12) angebracht ist, mindestens ein äußeres Lager (14), das um und zwischen dem Mantelrohr (11) und dem mittleren Zylinder (12) angebracht ist, wobei mindestens ein inneres Lager (15) um und zwischen dem mittleren Zylinder (12) und dem äußeren Zylinder (13) angebracht ist, ein Federelement (16, 16A) das komprimierbar ist, das zwischen dem mittleren Zylinder (12) und dem inneren Zylinder (13) angeordnet ist und zwei Enden aufweist, die jeweils mit dem mittleren Zylinder (12) und dem inneren Zylinder (13) verbunden sind, eine erste Scheibe, die ringförmig ist und um den inneren Zylinder (13) angebracht und daran befestigt ist, eine zweite Scheibe, die ringförmig ist, um den inneren Zylinder (13) herum angebracht ist, die neben der ersten Scheibe angeordnet und an dem mittleren Zylinder (12) befestigt ist, und eine Erfassungseinheit (19), die auf dem Mantelrohr (11) angebracht ist und die Verschiebungswinkeldifferenz zwischen der ersten Scheibe und der zweiten Scheibe erfasst, und den Drehmomentsensor (10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

der mittlere Zylinder (12) aufweist:

einen ersten Anschlag (124, 124A), der auf der Innenfläche des mittleren Zylinders (12) ausgebildet ist; und

einen zweiten Anschlag (125, 125A), der auf der Innenfläche des mittleren Zylinders (12) ausgebildet ist und von dem ersten Anschlag (124, 124A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) getrennt ist; und

der innere Zylinder (13) aufweist:

einen ersten Anschlag (134, 134A), der auf einer Außenfläche des inneren Zylinders (13) ausgebildet ist, und zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Anschlag (124, 124A, 125, 125A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) angeordnet ist; und

einen zweiten Anschlag (135, 135A), der auf der Außenfläche des inneren Zylinders (13) ausgebildet ist, der von dem ersten Anschlag (134, 134A) des inneren Zylinders (13) getrennt ist, der zwischen dem ersten Anschlag (134, 134A) des inneren Zylinders (13) und dem zweiten Anschlag (125, 125A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) angeordnet ist und selektiv an den zweiten Anschlag (125, 125A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) anstößt;

wobei, wenn sich der innere Zylinder (13, 13A) dreht, der innere Zylinder (13, 13A) das Federelement (16, 16A) und den mittleren Zylinder (12, 12A) nacheinander derart schiebt, dass das Federelement (16, 16A) komprimiert wird und sich der mittlere Zylinder (12, 12A) entsprechend dreht;

wenn keine Kraft auf den Drehmomentsensor (10) angewendet wird, das Federelement (16) bewirkt, dass die zweiten Anschläge (135, 125) des inneren Zylinders (13) und des mittleren Zylinders (12) aneinander anstoßen.

2. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
die erste Scheibe eine Referenzscheibe (17) ist, die mehrere Durchgangslöcher (171) aufweist, die getrennt durch die Referenzscheibe (17) ausgebildet und entlang eines äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Referenzscheibe (17) eingerichtet sind;
die zweite Scheibe eine Maskenscheibe (18) ist, die mehrere Erfassungsabschnitte (181) aufweist, die getrennt auf der Maskenscheibe (18) ausgebildet und entlang eines äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Maskenscheibe (18) eingerichtet sind, wobei jeder Erfassungsabschnitt (181) mehrere Erfassungsraster (182) aufweist, die durch die Maskenscheibe (18) ausgebildet und entlang des äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Maskenscheibe (18) eingerichtet sind; und
die Erfassungseinheit (19) aufweist:

einen Signalgeber (191), der Signale sendet, die die Durchgangslöcher (171) der Referenzscheibe (17) passieren sollen; und

einen Signalempfänger (192), der selektiv die Signale empfängt, die von dem Signalgeber (191) gesendet werden.

3. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
die zweite Scheibe eine Referenzscheibe (17) ist, die mehrere Durchgangslöcher (171) aufweist, die getrennt durch die Referenzscheibe (17) ausgebildet und entlang eines äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Referenzscheibe (17) eingerichtet sind;
die erste Scheibe eine Maskenscheibe (18) ist, die mehrere Erfassungsabschnitte (181) aufweist, die getrennt auf der Maskenscheibe (18) ausgebildet und entlang eines äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Maskenscheibe (18) eingerichtet sind, wobei jeder Erfassungsabschnitt (181) mehrere Erfassungsraster (182) aufweist, die durch die Maskenscheibe (18) ausgebildet und entlang des äußeren umlaufenden Rands der Maskenscheibe (18) eingerichtet sind; und
die Erfassungseinheit (19) aufweist:

einen Signalgeber (191), der Signale sendet, die die Durchgangslöcher (171) der Referenzscheibe (17) passieren sollen; und

einen Signalempfänger (192), der selektiv die Signale empfängt, die von dem Signalgeber (191) gesendet werden.

4. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei
das Federelement (16) eine Torsionsfeder ist, und um den inneren Zylinder (13) herum angebracht ist;
die zwei Enden des Federelements (16) jeweils mit dem mittleren Zylinder (12) und dem inneren Zylinder (13) verbunden sind; und
der erste Anschlag (134) des inneren Zylinders (13) selektiv am ersten Anschlag (124) des mittleren Zylinders (12) anstößt;
wobei, wenn die Kraft, die auf den Drehmomentsensor (10) angelegt wird, einen maximalen Erfassungsbereich des Drehmomentsensors (10) erreicht, die ersten Anschläge (134, 124) des inneren Zylinders (13) und des mittleren Zylinders(12) aneinander anstoßen.

5. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei
das Federelement (16A) zwischen den ersten Anschlägen (124A, 134A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) und des inneren Zylinders (13) angebracht ist; und
die zwei Enden des Federelements (16A) jeweils an den ersten Anschlägen (124A, 134A) des mittleren Zylinders (12) und des inneren Zylinder (13) anstoßen;
wobei, wenn die Kraft, die an den Drehmomentsensor (10) angelegt wird, einen maximalen Erfassungsbereich des Drehmomentsensors (10) erreicht, das Federelement (16A) auf seine Blocklänge komprimiert wird und der erste Anschlag (134A) des inneren Zylinders (13A) den ersten Anschlag (124A) des mittleren Zylinders (12A) mittels des Federelements (16A) schiebt.

6. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 4, wobei
der mittlere Zylinder (12) ferner einen Befestigungsschlitz (123) aufweist, der in einem von zwei Enden des mittleren Zylinders (12) ausgebildet ist;
der innere Zylinder (13) ferner einen Befestigungsschlitz (136) aufweist, der in der Außenfläche des inneren Zylinders (13) und durch eines der beiden Enden des inneren Zylinders (13) ausgebildet ist; und
die Enden des Federelements (16) jeweils durch die Befestigungsschlitze (123, 136) des mittleren Zylinders (12) und des inneren Zylinder (13) angebracht sind.

7. Drehmomentsensor (10) nach Anspruch 1, 2, 3, 4 oder 5, wobei
der innere Zylinder (13) ferner einen Befestigungsring (133) aufweist, der um die Außenfläche des inneren Zylinders (13) ausgebildet ist und eine Seitenfläche aufweist, die einem entsprechenden Ende des mittleren Zylinders (12) gegenüberliegt; und
die erste Scheibe und die zweite Scheibe zwischen dem Befestigungsring (133) des inneren Zylinders (13) und dem Ende des mittleren Zylinders (12) angeordnet sind, das dem Befestigungsring (133) entspricht, und die erste Scheibe an dem Befestigungsring (133) des inneren Zylinders (13) befestigt ist und die zweite Scheibe an dem Ende des mittleren Zylinders (12) befestigt ist, das dem Befestigungsring (133) entspricht.

Revendications

1. Capteur de couple (10) comprenant : un tube d'enveloppe (11), un cylindre central (12) monté axialement à travers le tube d'enveloppe (11), un cylindre intérieur (13) monté axialement à travers le cylindre central (12), au moins un palier extérieur (14) monté autour et entre le tube d'enveloppe (11) et le cylindre central (12), au moins un palier intérieur (15) monté autour et entre le cylindre central (12) et le cylindre intérieur (13), un élément résilient (16, 16A) étant compressible, disposé entre le cylindre central (12) et le cylindre intérieur (13) et ayant deux extrémités respectivement raccordées au cylindre central (12) et au cylindre intérieur (13), un premier disque étant annulaire et monté autour et fixé au cylindre intérieur (13), un second disque étant annulaire, monté autour du cylindre intérieur (13), disposé à côté du premier disque et fixé au cylindre central (12) et une unité de détection (19) montée sur le tube d'enveloppe (11) et détectant une différence d'angle de décalage entre le premier disque et le second disque, et le capteur de couple (10) étant caractérisé en ce que :

le cylindre central (12) possède

une première butée (124, 124A) formée sur une surface intérieure du cylindre central (12) ; et

une seconde butée (125, 125A) formée sur la surface intérieure du cylindre central (12) et séparée de la première butée (124, 124A) du cylindre central (12) ; et

le cylindre intérieur (13) possède

une première butée (134, 134A) formée sur une surface extérieure du cylindre intérieur (13) et disposée entre la première et la seconde butée (124, 124A, 125, 125A) du cylindre central (12) ; et

une seconde butée (135, 135A) formée sur la surface extérieure du cylindre intérieur (13), séparée de la première butée (134, 134A) du cylindre intérieur (13), disposé entre la première butée (134, 134A) du cylindre intérieur (13) et la seconde butée (125, 125A) du cylindre central (12) et butant sélectivement contre la seconde butée (125, 125A) du cylindre central (12) ;

dans lequel lorsque le cylindre intérieur (13, 13A) tourne, le cylindre intérieur (13, 13A) pousse l'élément résilient (16, 16A) et le cylindre central (12, 12A) séquentiellement de sorte que l'élément résilient (16, 16A) soit compressé et le cylindre central (12, 12A) tourne en conséquence ;

lorsqu'aucune force n'est appliquée au capteur de couple (10), l'élément résiliant (16) amène les secondes butées (135, 125) du cylindre intérieur (13) et du cylindre central (12) à buter l'une contre l'autre.

2. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
le premier disque est un disque de référence (17) ayant des trous traversant multiples (171) formés séparément à travers le disque de référence (17) et disposés le long du bord périphérique extérieur du disque de référence (17) ;
le second disque est un disque de masque (18) ayant des portions de détection multiples (181) formées séparément sur le disque de masque (18) et disposées le long d'un bord périphérique extérieur du disque de masque (18), chaque portion de détection (181) ayant des grilles de détection multiples (182) formées à travers le disque de masque (18) et disposées le long du bord périphérique extérieur du disque de masque (18) ; et
l'unité de détection (19) possède

un émetteur de signaux (191) émettant des signaux qui passent à travers les trous traversants (171) du disque de référence (17) ; et

un récepteur de signaux (192) recevant sélectivement les signaux envoyés par l'émetteur de signaux (191).

3. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
le second disque est un disque de référence (17) ayant des trous traversant multiples (171) formés séparément à travers le disque de référence (17) et disposés le long du bord périphérique extérieur du disque de référence (17) ;
le premier disque est un disque de masque (18) ayant des portions de détection multiples (181) formées séparément sur le disque de masque (18) et disposées le long d'un bord périphérique extérieur du disque de masque (18), chaque portion de détection (181) ayant des grilles de détection multiples (182) formées à travers le disque de masque (18) et disposées le long du bord périphérique extérieur du disque de masque (18) ; et
l'unité de détection (19) possède

un émetteur de signaux (191) émettant des signaux qui passent à travers les trous traversant (171) du disque de référence (17) ; et

un récepteur de signaux (192) recevant sélectivement les signaux envoyés par l'émetteur de signaux (191).

4. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel
l'élément résilient (16) est un ressort de torsion et est monté autour du cylindre intérieur (13) ;
les deux extrémités de l'élément résilient (16) sont respectivement raccordées au cylindre central (12) et au cylindre intérieur (13) ; et
la première butée (134) du cylindre intérieur (13) bute sélectivement contre la première butée (124) du cylindre central (12) ;
dans lequel lorsque la force appliquée au capteur de couple (10) atteint une plage de détection maximale du capteur de couple (10), les premières butées (134, 124) du cylindre intérieur (13) et du cylindre central (12) butent l'une contre l'autre.

5. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel
l'élément résilient (16A) est monté entre les premières butées (124A, 134A) du cylindre central (12) et du cylindre intérieur (13) ; et
les deux extrémités de l'élément résilient (16A) butent respectivement contre les premières butées (124A, 134A) du cylindre central (12) et du cylindre intérieur (13) ;
dans lequel lorsque la force appliquée au capteur de couple (10) atteint une plage de détection maximale du capteur de couple (10), l'élément résilient (16A) est compressé à sa longueur solide et la première butée (134A) du cylindre intérieur (13A) pousse la première butée (124A) du cylindre central (12A) via l'élément résiliant (16A).

6. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel
le cylindre central (12) possède en outre une fente de montage (123) formée dans une des deux extrémités du cylindre central (12) ;
le cylindre intérieur (13) possède en outre une fente de montage (136) formée dans la surface extérieure du cylindre intérieur (13) et à travers une des deux extrémités du cylindre intérieur (13) ; et
les extrémités de l'élément résilient (16) sont respectivement montées à travers les fentes de montage (123, 136) du cylindre central (12) et du cylindre intérieur (13).

7. Capteur de couple (10) selon la revendication 1, 2, 3, 4 ou 5, dans lequel
le cylindre intérieur (13) possède en outre une bague de montage (133) formée autour de la surface extérieure du cylindre intérieur (13) et ayant une surface latérale faisant face à une extrémité correspondante du cylindre central (12) ; et
le premier disque et le second disque sont disposés entre la bague de montage (133) du cylindre intérieur (13) et l'extrémité du cylindre central (12) qui correspond à la bague de montage (133) et le premier disque est fixé à la base de montage (133) du cylindre intérieur (13) et le second disque est fixé à l'extrémité du cylindre central (12) qui correspond à la bague de montage (133).

Drawing